BRYAN COUNTY HISTORY: Woman teaching women
Bryan County Genealogy Library
Women’s farm clubs existed shortly after statehood and gradually evolved into Home Demonstration Clubs. In 1914 Congress passed the Smith-Lever Act, mandating that state and local governments match federal funding to “establish agricultural extension work by trained men and women agents.” Their mission was to provide information on agricultural and home economy topics to citizens who had not attended college. Emma A. Chandler, an A&M graduate in domestic science, was selected to direct the state's program.
By 1918 seventy-three Oklahoma counties had home demonstration agents. Most were trained at Oklahoma A & M College (now OSU). They traveled throughout the state and conducted lessons in gardening, raising poultry, using a pressure cooker, cooking nutritious meals, sewing, and household sanitation. Each year a major topic was chosen, such as “Live at Home” (1931). Nina Gordon Craig was the Bryan County agent from 1927 to 1957.She began with seven clubs and 98 members. When she was honored at a dinner in 1947, there were forty clubs in attendance.